Tea parties protest Obama visit to NC to tout jobs

The Associated Press • April 2, 2010

CHARLOTTE — While President Barack Obama touted green-energy jobs and the overhaul of America's health care system, tea party groups upset with his policies protested his visit Friday to a North Carolina factory that makes rechargeable batteries.

Protesters holding anti-Obama signs lined a busy street leading the Celgard LLC factory, which received a $49 million grant from the U.S. Energy Department last August. Among other things, the plant manufactures membranes used mainly in lithium batteries.

High Point businessman Larry Davidson said the health care reform package will ruin what he called "the best health care in the world."

"It's the end of health care as we know it," said Davidson, 59. "He just rammed it down everyone's throat. It was wrong. He didn't listen to the people."

His friend, Dr. James McGukin, agreed.

"It's amazing what was done behind closed doors," said McGukin, 52, a cardiologist. "I'm telling you that many doctors are going to quit rather than deal with a socialist health care system. The changes are bad for doctors. Bad for the American people. This is socialism. Obama is not a leader, he's a dictator."

Obama toured the Celgard plant to promote green energy jobs. During his visit, he answered questions from factory workers, including one about the health care .

Outside, about 250 people held signs and shouting angrily at the president's motorcade as it passed to the factory. But there were some supporters.

"He doing a great job," said retired bus driver Bill Jackson, 56. "He's trying to do something. So many people don't have health care in this country. They're hurting. He had to do something."

But many in the crowd repeated the familiar chorus, comparing the health care overhaul to socialism. They held signs that read: "Repeal Obamacare" and "Obama, you are a socialist."

Craig Nannini, a leader of the Charlotte Tea Party, urged supporters to stay in control and stick to the issues. He didn't want a repeat of other rallies where some protesters made racial comments.

"It's about the message not the messenger," Nannini said. "He was fairly elected and we respect the office he holds. What we want to do is show we are opposed to his politics."

He noted that this was the first protest for many in the crowd.

"Look at this. They are worried about their futures. That's why they're here. We're not going away. We're here to stay and we're going to make sure they hear our voices at the polls."



http://www.citizen-times.com/article/2010100402062